Moving Reggae forward----because it, like life, requires progress. Groundation has become a wordlwide phenomenon and every step along the way have pulled up the elders with them, not to mention the next wave of young talent.

All of these shows will be full of people looking to music, and specifically Reggae, for positivity in their lives....and we need more, not less, of this these days. Love it or hate it.....respect it.

Whether or not you like the sound of these vocals, it does not sound like the man's natural voice and does sound like he is straining and trying very hard, maybe trying to channel Bob vibe or something (I hear a bit of that.) What is up with this artwork with Don Carlos and The Congos barely visibly listed while Groundation is writ large? Is this an album or tour? Even if these reggae legends are opening for Groundation (which as a roots fan is kind of sad and ridiculous whether or not you like Groundation, in my opinion) what is up with listing their names so comparatively small? seems disrespectful and distasteful to me.

Easy there...it is the album cover of Groundation's album Hebron Gate. They are featured on 2 of the 10 tracks, hence the featured billing. Ask Don or Cedric & they'll be the first to tell you how much they respect and appreciate Groundation.

I said it seems that way to me, don't claim to know what others feel, I don't know Don, met Cedric once and saw him perform, we didn't speak about this topic.. and that is not my point at all, that they feel disrespected.
That type/ billing makes more sense in light of it being an album featuring the heavy hitting original rootsmen, thanks for answering my question ulotrichi.
I saw Don Carlos was opening for Rebelution on tour and as much as he may love that band and working with them, it is depressing to me personally to witness that kind of thing happening. I know it's just part of the biz.

I personally loved NWWRF in 09 when Pablo Moses played before Groundation and then came out and played his songs off of Here I am with Groundation. Still one of my favorite nights ever at NWWRF! Groundation always gives credit to the elders of Reggae music. Pablo has a lot of respect for Harrison and the gang.

I dont think that a lot of people know how Groundation started. Harrison taught Roots and Culture at Sonoma State University and that is how he met Ryan and Marcus thee original Groundation members.

DubOrganic------I commiserate with your sentiments here.......Don opening for Rebelution, Steel Pulse opening for SOJA, even Pablo opening for Groundation, which rossta mentioned from a few years back, can be hard on the original Roots fans. But the realities of the financials in contemporary times is that these bands are worth more tickets in these respective markets and thus the order of billing.

This is an old debate and I made this point a while back....while Id personally prefer to see Muddy Waters headline over Rolling Stones in 1966, that just wasnt the case. Big thing is that the young acts who pick up what the originators started appreciate where the music comes from and put the shine on the artists who came before them.

Now, to avoid the next debate----Groundation is not the next Rolling Stones (SOJA, on the other hand...), but it is the same pattern we've seen play out numerous times in popular music over the past 100 years.

rossta8888, i believe more folks than you think know of harrison's professorial/teaching background; i know i have read it here on this message board more than once. my hunch is that this is one of the reasons some people refer to groundation's style as "over-intellectualized".

mind you, it isn't a term i have used to describe their craft, but i've certainly heard them described this way by others.

I get the ticket sales thing ulotrichi, but the modern, relative newcomer bands could insist on equal billing on posters/ tour promo at very least and could still have the roots legends close the show, their fans would still pay to see the show and probably would come earlier and be more exposed to the roots veterans. I would insist on that if I was touring with the giants who paved the way, anything less is disrespectful to their craft and the history in my opinion. None of these bands are anywhere near the commercial level of Rolling Stones, to me that bill with Muddy Waters is different but I completely see what you are saying. This is the vibe I get from these types of bills:

(If the guys in this youtube clip were a bad knockoff reggae band they would be called Dub Hammer and incorporate zero dub mixing process in their sound, or say "Dub it!" live and then have the guitar player switch on an echo pedal for a minute.)

With that said, I do respect the idea of young bands taking their more obscure influences on the road, just rubs me wrong way sometimes.. I know Groundation give credit to and have supported elder reggae musicians and I'm sure the musicians appreciate that.

As far as this singer being a "reggae professor" and even calling his other project Professor, apparently in reference to that, I think is very pretentious. I'm sure there are thousands of people more qualified with deeper, more personal knowledge of this music who would never claim to be such a thing.

I respect your opinion and your right to share it. I also agree that some of the new Reggae isnt that great, especially compared with the orginiators.

My opinion would be that your defense of the sanctity of Reggae from the unwashed masses is not needed. And when you get a band together that packs rooms, you can have whoever close the show you'd like. Same goes for when you get that state college accredited class off the ground.

No, Buscemi is playing a fictional character.. I'm not defending sanctity of anything from anyone, just an opinion. I thought the clip was funny and maybe people could relate, think many music fans have been there, done that and can relate to that clip. I have respect for Groundation as a band that works hard and makes a buck for roots artists, no respect for the idea of making reggae music into some kind of academia.

I have played in bands and performed solo to packed rooms and empty rooms (as almost anyone involved in performing for a good amount of time has) What does any of that have to do with my opinion as a fan of music? Are people's opinions not valid until they have walked a mile in Groundation's shoes or tried to start a college course?

Yes to each their own, these opinions don't matter to anyone but us, I like to chat with fellow reggae enthusiasts from time to time and shoot the breeze.

Apologies for thread-jacking ulotrichi and rossta, I should not have posted negative things in your thread showing excitement for their shows.. next time will start my own thread for that kind of off-topicness.
When I see any relatively new kids on the reggae block with top billing and the foundation guys names tiny at the bottom, gets me heated.. went off the deep end ranting a bit there...

Mac, I fear that if you put the reggae 'legends' on after the acts that people paid to come see, much of the audience would clear out and not catch them. It would be better exposure to put them on just beforehand, or even better yet, to do a tune or two with the headliner.
Meanwhile, just so you know where I stand on the issues:

I understand Dub Organics where you are coming from. Just a thought though, is it possible to that the Roots legends dont want to come on stage at midnite and play till 2am?? This past NWWRF Pato was suppossed to headline but Alcyon Massive played after him. I felt it was because Pato didnt want to come on at 1am. Just a thought.

the difference is that Pato knows that NO ONE is going to be there at NWWRF after Midnight on a Sunday night. If it were Sunsplash ROTR or evern SNWMF he and any other headliner worth their salt realizes the closing act is the anchor leg of the relay.

From my understanding, the reason Pato went on before he was scheduled to at this year's NWWRF was because he met Luciano for the first time ever in the Press Tent. Although Luci had performed on Saturday, and was just at the fest hanging out on Sunday, Pato asked Luci to come up on stage and do a song with him. Luci agreed to do so...but I have a feeling that he needed to leave earlier rather than later...thus, Pato's set got moved up a notch.

as for the topic at hand here, I really don't get excited over Groundation.
I go to the shows basically becas I feel it is my duty to be at as many
reggae shows that come through here as possible... but I most all ways
leave early.... it jus doesn't do much for me my most favored part of their
set is the part when percussionist Mingo Lewis Jr. does his solo!
that moves me!

Harrison now, as The Professor... these recording are a whole different
thing! I feel this stuff although I have not yet checked the latest, Throw
Down Your Arms...

my 2 cents

--
blessid love
ras danny
higher reasoning reggae time
KBOO Portland, Full Strength Community Radio
*Love is a net that catches hearts like fish.*
-Muhammad Ali
*I don't like reggae, I love it*

QuoteRas Danny
that is not true, Joe... they both played the 2007 fest, and met then...
they seem to forget that this year... older age, memory fading...

LOL, Ras D...that is too funny!!!

Pato's crew definitely proclaimed it was the first time the two met...so much so that they posted one of my photos of the two of them on stage together (at the link below) on Pato's FB Page with this comment: "Check out Pato Banton and Luciano on stage. It's the first time they met and they sure did mash up the place!"

Joe you have never listened to Groundation?? You must check them out!! Amazing band!! To each their own Ras Danny, I understand Groundation is not everyones cup of tea. THey are not MIDNITE but I really enjoy them. I am ready for more MIDNITE, 7 Generations was like a tease. LOL A tease i enjoyed a lot but I am ready for another show! Maybe February they will be back in Portland or Provolt.

I misspoke, & what I meant was I had seen the numerous clips floating around of live performances & had vetted their latest release on VP. (Mebbe I should refrain making comments right after taking that after-work draw...)

Can't get past the vocalist, but again--- it's the reason menues are handed out at restaurants.

I WILL be seeing the current edition of the Skatalites tonight, & they shall be joined by a group I personally rank bettah' than Groundation:
the 25 year + St. Louis institution Murder City Players, who drop ska/rocksteady/rub-a-dub/roots with equal facility, have a horn section that smokes, and in vocalist Tony Rome a singer most soulful & sweet, one that doesnt make you wince---actually, at this game he trumps any Cali male vocalist I've seen. Last fall on a double-bill outdoors, they smoked the current edition of English Beat without even trying.

Quoterossta8888
Must have been in Europe. They didn't play in the states I believe.

I played a show with them in San Luis Obispo, CA this past Feb or March. Ryan had told me that they were planning on touring abroad and returning in the Fall to the US in support of their latest release.

I think folks who compare Groundation's newest works against their older albums would notice an evolution in the overall sound, but especially in vocals. Harrison's voice seems to have really opened up over the years, much more comfortable these days with more range.

2012

2000

Still find it interesting how his voice and this band has amassed a massive following internationally while still comparatively underground here in the States. Either way, in my opinion the musiciansis make up the most dynamic contemproary band that plays Reggae music today.

Quoterossta8888
Nice Mikey J thank you for sharing! How was the show in San Luis Obispo? beatiful part of california. I am so looking forward to their show in Portland. Ryan is wicked on that bass!

The show was great. I don't listen to much of their studio stuff aside from Hebron Gate, but typcially enjoy their live performances for the shear level of musicianship that they bring to the stage. Been linking with them for shows off and on for about 10 years now and they are very humble and down-to-earth people.

SLO is a beautiful part of the country and I actually live 10mi south of SLO in Shell Beach. I have been blessed to have Midnite over at our house for dinner back in 2005 or 2006 when the band consisted of Vaughn of vocals. Ron on keys, Philip on bass, Dion on drums, and Abijah on guitar. Most people and bands enjoy their time here on the Central Coast of CA. In the past, most would simply pass through between shows in the Bay Area/Santa Cruz and Los Angeles, but more and more have been booking shows in SLO Town and Santa Barbara in the past 15 years.

Quoterossta8888
Nice Mikey J thank you for sharing! How was the show in San Luis Obispo? beatiful part of california. I am so looking forward to their show in Portland. Ryan is wicked on that bass!

The show was great. I don't listen to much of their studio stuff aside from Hebron Gate, but typcially enjoy their live performances for the shear level of musicianship that they bring to the stage. Been linking with them for shows off and on for about 10 years now and they are very humble and down-to-earth people.

SLO is a beautiful part of the country and I actually live 10mi south of SLO in Shell Beach. I have been blessed to have Midnite over at our house for dinner back in 2005 or 2006 when the band consisted of Vaughn of vocals. Ron on keys, Philip on bass, Dion on drums, and Abijah on guitar. Most people and bands enjoy their time here on the Central Coast of CA. In the past, most would simply pass through between shows in the Bay Area/Santa Cruz and Los Angeles, but more and more have been booking shows in SLO Town and Santa Barbara in the past 15 years.

Mikey J.[/quote

That's awesome! I am a huge Midnite fan. What an experience!! We are so blessed on the west coast!! I used to spend a lot of time in Santa Cruz and had a buddy in SLO. Now that I live in Oregon I miss the ocean but love life in Oregon!

Yes very nice to meet you to Ras Danny and Bun N Cheese!! I enjoyed the night! JBB played a great set, and Groundation was great as always and the DJ was off the hook! ( I missed Alcyon but i catch him a lot.) Was nice to see such a packed house! I-Taweh in Portland is next!! Not sure i can make it but looks like a great show. George Nooks, Stop that Train. I had never heard that version and enjoyed it Bun N Chesse. Thank you

Haha, I met him downstairs before JBB took the stage, my bredren Grant (also known as Elijah Fari) introduced us. I was the six foot five skinny dude wearing tan Nike chino pants, tie-dye shirt and black beanie! also had on a dark blue striped hoodie for much of the show (big mistake)

Was it hot in there or what? I was upfront for Groundation and sweated like I was in a dry sauna. I was wearing a yellow Groundation T shirt and jeans. I had on a long sleeve shirt that was a bit thicker and purchased that groundation shirt that night to wear something cooler. I needed a new Groundation shirt anyway, but man was it hot.